〜ことはない①

About

The 〜ことはない pattern is a combination of the nominalizer こと, the は particle, and ない ("there isn't").

〜ことはない can be used in conjunction with dictionary form verbs to express either ① "there is no need to X" or ② "X never happens/won't happen". This entry is concerned with usage ①.

"There is no need to X"

E.g. キノコが嫌きらいなら無理むりに食たべることはないよ。 "If you hate mushrooms there's no need to force yourself to eat them."

〜ことはない can drop は to become 〜ことない.

E.g. まだ30分さんじゅっぷんあるから慌あわてることないよ。 "(We still) have 30 minutes so there's no need to panic."

〜ことはない is often used in combination with other grammar, such as 何なにも and わざわざ.

E.g. シナモンロールを食たべられたくらいで、なにも怒おこることはないんじゃない？ "There's no need to get angry simply because your cinnamon rolls were eaten, right?"

E.g. わざわざ新あたらしいスーツを買かうことはありません。 "There's no need to go out of your way to buy a new suit."

Summary

• 

  〜ことはない is used in conjunction with dictionary form verbs

• 

  ～ことはない has two main usages ① "there is no need to X" or ② "X never happens/won't happen"

• 

  〜ことはない can drop は to become 〜ことない

• 

  〜ことはない is often used in combination with other grammar, such as 何なにも and わざわざ